Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City

New York just might be the most biologically diverse city in temperate America. The five boroughs sit atop one of the most naturally rich sites in North America, directly under the Atlantic migratory flyway, at the mouth of a 300-mile-long river, and on three islandsManhattan, Staten, and Long.

Overview

New York just might be the most biologically diverse city in temperate America. The five boroughs sit atop one of the most naturally rich sites in North America, directly under the Atlantic migratory flyway, at the mouth of a 300-mile-long river, and on three islandsManhattan, Staten, and Long.

Leslie Day, a New York City naturalist, reveals this amazing world in her Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City. Combining the stunning paintings of Mark A. Klingler with a variety of photographs and maps, this book is a complete guide for the urban naturalistwith tips on identifying the city's flora and fauna and maps showing the nearest subway stop.

Here is your personal guide to the real wild side of America’s largest city. Throw it in your backpack, hop on the subway, and explore.

Johns Hopkins University Press

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Editorial Reviews

Choice

The scientific detail is appropriate for all levels, and additional readings are referenced in a selected bibliography. Highly recommended.

New York Times

Dr. Day... A sort of Julia Child of nature.

 Ellen Pall

House and Garden

This little gem fills you in on everything finned, furred, feathered, or leafed, and how to find it, in all five boroughs.

Staten Island Advance

Provides historic facts, photographs and maps to give a snapshot of the city's natural resources and to remind hard-charging New Yorkers of the unchanging parts of their environment.

 Sally Goldenberg

Gazette

A complete guide for the urban naturalist.

 Greg Rienzi

The Record

Describes how to find and explore some of the greener parts of the concrete jungle.

 Walter Dawkins

Crawford-Doyle Booksellers Newsletter

This book should be in every New Yorker’s library as both reference and inspiration for low-carbon-impact journeys to places of unexpected beauty and tranquility.

Minneapolis Observer Quarterly

You may well wonder why I am reviewing a book about New York city when we preach 'local, local, local' throughout these pages. I'll tell you, because this beautifully illustrated handbook is a wonderful example of exploring the bucolic city... All illustrated with gorgeous watercolors by Klingler. We should have one of these. But in the meantime, you will find many of the same species in our fair cities., so why not pick up a copy for inspiration?

www.livescience.com

A guidebook to nature in the Big Apple would range from slim to empty, one might think. Try again. Painted turtles, American eels, dwarf centipedes, Eastern spotted newts, black-crowned night herons and Manhattan schist rocks are among the highlights of Leslie Day's Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City.

 Robin Lloyd

Guardian

Leslie Day ('a child of Manhattan') reveals hidden depths of this urban behemoth... A wonderful guide to the green side of the Big Apple.

 PDSmith

American Reference Books Annual

This guide is useful for students and anyone interested in locating and identifying the flora and fauna of New York City.

 Denise A. Garofalo

Living the Scientific Life

Wonderfuly written and well organized... In short, this useful book is, quite simply, beautiful.

International Hawkwatcher

This is a unique an excellent beginner's guide... Highly recommended.

ARBA Online

Useful for students and anyone interested in locating and identifying the flora and fauna of New York City.

 Denise Garofalo

New York Times - Ellen Pall

Dr. Day... A sort of Julia Child of nature.

Staten Island Advance - Sally Goldenberg

Provides historic facts, photographs and maps to give a snapshot of the city's natural resources and to remind hard-charging New Yorkers of the unchanging parts of their environment.

Gazette - Greg Rienzi

A complete guide for the urban naturalist.

The Record - Walter Dawkins

Describes how to find and explore some of the greener parts of the concrete jungle.

www.livescience.com - Robin Lloyd

A guidebook to nature in the Big Apple would range from slim to empty, one might think. Try again. Painted turtles, American eels, dwarf centipedes, Eastern spotted newts, black-crowned night herons and Manhattan schist rocks are among the highlights of Leslie Day's Field Guide to the Natural World of New York City.

Guardian - PDSmith

Leslie Day ('a child of Manhattan') reveals hidden depths of this urban behemoth... A wonderful guide to the green side of the Big Apple.

American Reference Books Annual - Denise A. Garofalo

This guide is useful for students and anyone interested in locating and identifying the flora and fauna of New York City.

ARBA Online - Denise Garofalo

Useful for students and anyone interested in locating and identifying the flora and fauna of New York City.

Product Details

What People are saying about this

Glenn Phillips

This book highlights the environmental treasures of New York City. Every New Yorker ought to follow Leslie Day's lead and spend time in these precious natural areas. Research shows that people who do are happier, smarter, and better socialized. This is a self-help book that really works!

Richard Ellis

I have lived in New York City for all my professional life, even as most of the research I do for my books takes me to exotic locations such as Antarctica, Alaska, Patagonia, and the Great Barrier Reef. However, as Leslie Day's wonderful book informs us, the five boroughs of New York can be as interesting and exotic as that of any place on Earth. You don't need a fancy research vesseljust a field guide, a sturdy pair of shoes, a Metrocard, and a desire to see the life teeming in our midst. Welcome to the Big Apple ( Malus sylvestris gigas).

Adrian Benepe

Visitors to New York City, and even longtime residents, are astounded by the natural world that can be found in our City parks. From the deep woods of Van Cortland Park in the Bronx, to the wetlands of Staten Island's South Shore, there are mysteries waiting to be solved with the assistance of Leslie Day's illustrated guide. Come spend a day in the countryin the city!

Kevin Baker

Leslie Day has written an indispensable guide both to the natural history of New York and to the multitude of nature that continues to thrive in the city all around us. Both the writing and illustrations are really first rate. With this book in hand, the city will never look the same.